Review: 2009 Acura TL
#17
I saw this car in the flesh today and let me say i thought it was VERY HANDSOME!!
though yes i agree, the bozo the clown nose needs to go - it was more hideous seeing it on the maroon exterior they had at the dealership today. A silver exterior car would no show that nose that obviously though - same with the chrome strip on the rear decklid. However im sure you can the front done with aftermarkets or just get it painted same color as the car - dont know how that would bode. But the rear can easily be hidden by just painting it with he same paint color and it wont matter at all.
The interior of the car was black and the wood trim on the center console armrest area i thoguht was gorgeously done - very similar to the black fused with whites and greys wood look found in the GS/LS sedans in their wood trim but in a burgundy but very high end looking. Dont think it was real though lol
I thought the interior was excellent - much better looking than in pictures and though in pictures thecontrols looked all over the place on the center dash - it was not as so in flesh - very easy to spot and laid out intuitively.
i thought this car is a winner. $35,500 with automatic and well equipped coing as a standard base automatic - with EXCELLENT room both font and back.
i think it looks better than the 3/IS/E/ and even the new A4.
I didnt drive it but on comparing against looks and fit finish and feel etc and overall impression on eyecatching - it earned top marks versus any of those other cars by far.
Yes, i was very surprised. A loaded with tech pkg and all goodies that come with it including nav, weather, traffic, upgraded ELS sound, and keyless ignition, takes it to $38K which means about $34K invoice.
My opinion - hands down winner. I havent driven it but ido not think it will disapoint.
though yes i agree, the bozo the clown nose needs to go - it was more hideous seeing it on the maroon exterior they had at the dealership today. A silver exterior car would no show that nose that obviously though - same with the chrome strip on the rear decklid. However im sure you can the front done with aftermarkets or just get it painted same color as the car - dont know how that would bode. But the rear can easily be hidden by just painting it with he same paint color and it wont matter at all.
The interior of the car was black and the wood trim on the center console armrest area i thoguht was gorgeously done - very similar to the black fused with whites and greys wood look found in the GS/LS sedans in their wood trim but in a burgundy but very high end looking. Dont think it was real though lol
I thought the interior was excellent - much better looking than in pictures and though in pictures thecontrols looked all over the place on the center dash - it was not as so in flesh - very easy to spot and laid out intuitively.
i thought this car is a winner. $35,500 with automatic and well equipped coing as a standard base automatic - with EXCELLENT room both font and back.
i think it looks better than the 3/IS/E/ and even the new A4.
I didnt drive it but on comparing against looks and fit finish and feel etc and overall impression on eyecatching - it earned top marks versus any of those other cars by far.
Yes, i was very surprised. A loaded with tech pkg and all goodies that come with it including nav, weather, traffic, upgraded ELS sound, and keyless ignition, takes it to $38K which means about $34K invoice.
My opinion - hands down winner. I havent driven it but ido not think it will disapoint.
Last edited by xcntuatd77; 09-24-08 at 11:32 PM.
#18
Pole Position
Thanx for review!
I agree with you 100% that is exactly how I felt about the car when I was given a ride in one.
I think interior is the shining star of this car. Use of metal is the best I have ever seen, it gives you a feel of super solid cabin and feels great on touch like a real metal should. I would just prefer less buttons and metal nav ****.
I agree with you 100% that is exactly how I felt about the car when I was given a ride in one.
I think interior is the shining star of this car. Use of metal is the best I have ever seen, it gives you a feel of super solid cabin and feels great on touch like a real metal should. I would just prefer less buttons and metal nav ****.
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I also don't usually review a car for the general purpose of getting max accelaration, handling, and braking numbers....for that, you would be better off consulting a publication like Car & Driver, Road & Track, etc.... My reviews are done more for the purpose of an overall assessment of the car, what you get for your money, and how the car does in everyday driving (what most people are interested in), not track figures.
Also with regards to the metal trim in the interior, how reflective was in? It looks like it will reflect a lot of light and provide too much glare in sunny conditions.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-08 at 06:12 AM.
#20
i saw the chestnut wood in the car i saw yesterday...but its not listing in acuras website even as an accessory option or factory option. Do you knwo if its real and how you actually get this wood?
by the way i thought it lookd beautiful with the textured pattern it had.
by the way i thought it lookd beautiful with the textured pattern it had.
#21
Lexus Champion
Thanks for the review.
Sounds like it drives better than it looks. You know there's a chance the looks will grow on many of us as it does with many cars with radical styling... a couple years go by and many of us will wonder what we found so offensive about the car. We might not call it gorgeous but at least won't be repulsed by it.
Unfortunately the TSX is really more my size and style but for 30 grand I expect more and want better economy on regular fuel.
Sounds like it drives better than it looks. You know there's a chance the looks will grow on many of us as it does with many cars with radical styling... a couple years go by and many of us will wonder what we found so offensive about the car. We might not call it gorgeous but at least won't be repulsed by it.
Unfortunately the TSX is really more my size and style but for 30 grand I expect more and want better economy on regular fuel.
#22
TL grow about 6" overall length but grow only about 1.5" wheelbase. Well, i can't live with that excessive overhang period. Even on TOV review, 5AT is dead at 3rd gear which slow you down during acceleration. Yeah, may be it will be ok for regular day to day driving. Thanks for review.
#23
#24
#25
Lexus Champion
Motorweek's 2009 Acura TL Review
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=rtnzFgTRCSg
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=rtnzFgTRCSg
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
i saw the chestnut wood in the car i saw yesterday...but its not listing in acuras website even as an accessory option or factory option. Do you knwo if its real and how you actually get this wood?
by the way i thought it lookd beautiful with the textured pattern it had.
by the way i thought it lookd beautiful with the textured pattern it had.
This car, and its list of options, has just been introduced, and Acura may be still making (or refining) some last-minute options and specs.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
BTW, I know John Davis, the host of that show......very casually, not on an every-day-friendly basis. I see him and talk to him at local auto shows. I'll pop him an E-mail and point that out.
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Even on TOV review, 5AT is dead at 3rd gear which slow you down during acceleration. Yeah, may be it will be ok for regular day to day driving.
Thanks for review.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Sure. Anytime.
I'm glad you will.....but I will have the same negative opinion of that Bozo-clown grille 5 years from now as I do today. Like Audi's oversize-square grilles, its MMI, and BMW's I-Drive, those are features I simply don't get used to.
The TL cannot use regular, according to the literature; I don't remember if the TSX can or not.
You know there's a chance the looks will grow on many of us as it does with many cars with radical styling... a couple years go by and many of us will wonder what we found so offensive about the car. We might not call it gorgeous but at least won't be repulsed by it.
Unfortunately the TSX is really more my size and style but for 30 grand I expect more and want better economy on regular fuel.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Interior (real nice IMO, cant hotlink)
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6a.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6d.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6f.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_74.jpg
get larger pics here:
http://www.netcarshow.com/acura/2009-tl/
TL: $34,995
TL + Tech: $38,685
TL SH-AWD: $38,505
TL SH-AWD + Tech: $42,235
TL SH-AWD + Tech + 19" wheels/tires: $43,325
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6a.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6d.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_6f.jpg
http://photo.netcarshow.com/Acura-TL_2009_photo_74.jpg
get larger pics here:
http://www.netcarshow.com/acura/2009-tl/
TL: $34,995
TL + Tech: $38,685
TL SH-AWD: $38,505
TL SH-AWD + Tech: $42,235
TL SH-AWD + Tech + 19" wheels/tires: $43,325
Last edited by 4TehNguyen; 09-25-08 at 01:57 PM.